September 1, 2022

All indications are that the next COVID booster will be available in the next couple of weeks. We went to Oregon Medical Group Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stacy Chance, and our Clinical Pharmacist, Natalie Gillespie, with a list of questions to the common question of when to boost against COVID.

Our patients are in various points of their vaccination against COVID, with some fully boosted and some with just the first set of vaccinations. What’s your most basic guidance for getting this next booster?

There are several ways to boost your immunity against COVID. The best, lowest risk way is to vaccinate. But as you know there are many “breakthrough” cases now, when someone who has been vaccinated still gets COVID, but not severely. Those patients are actually best protected against COVID and the recent variants. For patients in that group, the science is looking like it’s best to wait at least three months, but no more than six, before opting for whichever booster is available at that time. Patients who have not been vaccinated, boosted or had COVID in the three-to-six month timeframe would be well-served by this new booster. And of course, anyone who is in a high-risk category should seriously consider the booster.

Is this next booster just an updated version of the last?

No, it’s quite a bit better than that. It’s what’s called a bivalent booster. It includes the original strain of coronavirus, and coverage of the two Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. This new booster is designed specifically for the current and most likely threats. We’re very optimistic about its effectiveness.

Does the new booster offer protection against future strains?

If we could predict what future strains or variants might be, that would be game-changing. But it’s just not known what will develop. One thing is for sure: BA.4 and BA.5 will be part of the scene, and the booster protects against those. Getting the booster is far better than not getting it.

I’ve heard this discussed in comparison to the routine use of the flu vaccine and how scientists are able to predict each season’s evolution with moderate success. Do you think that’s what the future holds for COVID boosters?

It’s not quite the same thing. For one thing, we only have two to three years of history to refer to. The coronavirus is an ancient virus, but how it interacts in its modern history is still being researched. Of course, the longer we are working with it, the better we will be able to predict – and protect – against it.

We forget that the flu kills people each year – typically those who are older or have other health concerns. The motivation to be boosted is the same for both the flu and COVID: you are protecting yourself and just as importantly, you are protecting those vulnerable people around you.

So, what’s the bottom line on the new COVID booster?

The new booster is approved for ages 12 years and older. If you’re high-risk and it’s been 2 months since your primary series or last booster, get the booster. If you haven’t had COVID in the last three months, get it. If you haven’t ever gotten the vaccine, it’s not too late.

Ok, a logistical question: Will Oregon Medical Group have the booster?

The distribution channels for vaccines are still in development. If it’s like in the past, we will receive an allotment that allows us to offer it to patients when they’re in for annual check-ups. But most people will probably need to access it from a pharmacy or a county vaccination clinic. We recommend you follow the Lane County Public Health Facebook page for updates or go to their website. We will also post updates, but often we have to refer you over to the County for the latest.

For additional information about the COVID booster, we encourage you to visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.